headquarters

noun

head·​quar·​ters ˈhed-ˌkwȯ(r)-tərz 

-ˌkȯr-,

(ˈ)hed-ˈkwȯ(r),

-ˈkȯr-

plural in form but singular or plural in construction

1

: a place from which a commander performs the functions of command

2

: the administrative center of an enterprise

Synonyms

• seat
• center

Examples of headquarters in a Sentence

the headquarters of the newly established United States government was in New York City, the nation's first capital

the scout went straight to the large tent in the center of the camp, correctly assuming that it served as the division's headquarters

Recent Examples on the Web

Morale was already low at the agency due to mass layoffs in the spring and a deadly shooting at the CDC headquarters in Atlanta earlier this month. —Jade Walker, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2025

Here's what happened with upper stage Starship got off the ground right on time at 7:30 p.m. ET from SpaceX's sprawling Starbase – the complex that doubles as a Texas city and the company's headquarters near the U.S-Mexico border. —Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025

These departures come just weeks after a gunman shot hundreds of rounds into the CDC’s Atlanta’s headquarters in Ossoff’s home state. —Joseph Choi, The Hill, 28 Aug. 2025

Effective immediately, the division headquarters will be known as the Billy Randolph South Division Headquarters, according to the resolution. —Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1622, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for headquarters

• exporters
• hindquarters
• importers
• reporters
• supporters
• transporters
• mortars
• porters
• quarters
• sorters

Kids Definition

headquarters

singular or plural noun

head·​quar·​ters ˈhed-ˌkwȯ(r)t-ərz 

(ˈ)hed-ˈkwȯ(r)t-ərz

1

: a place from which a commander exercises command

2

: the governing and directing center of an organization